Scandinavia’s leading sales agent, TrustNordisk, has secured the international sales rights for Amanda Kernell’s latest film, “Brace Your Heart” (“Förbannelsen”), just ahead of the European Film Market in Berlin. This Swedish drama, set to begin filming in the Kiruna region of Northern Sweden, marks Kernell’s third feature film, following her acclaimed debut “Sami Blood” and the Swedish Oscar entry “Charter”.
Kernell, a promising female voice in Scandinavian cinema, has written the original script for “Brace Your Heart”. The story unfolds in a remote Sámi village high in the mountains, where Ejva, a 20-year-old, inherits her father’s reindeer herd after his death. As she takes on the family tradition, she faces the challenge of keeping the herd thriving. Simultaneously, she develops a romantic connection with the local leader Heaika, but her life takes a dramatic turn with the arrival of Nejla, Heaika’s cousin, with whom Ejva discovers true love for the first time. Heaika’s harsh reaction to this newfound love leaves Ejva with a condition that causes her hands to shake uncontrollably, threatening her ability to care for the herd. Ejva must find a way to reclaim control over her life and her future.
The main roles are played by newcomers Elli-Sara Valkeapää as Ejva, Andte Jusso Gaup as Heaika, and Vincent Niia as Nejla. Kernell, who has South Sámi heritage through her father, began the casting process four years ago. “It’s been a long and meticulous process to find these actors,” she said. “I have long aspired to tell a love story set in the world of reindeer herding, a profession I grew up with and which is incredibly demanding. I want this story to have the rawness of reality, and to have this entire cast made up of reindeer herders is a dream come true,” Kernell explained.
At the heart of “Brace Your Heart” is the theme of forgiveness, a common thread in Kernell’s previous films. “What can be forgiven? What can be healed? And how? What can set us free?” These are the questions that drive the narrative. The film, much like “Sami Blood” and “Charter”, is “a choir piece of different people’s memories – those in reindeer herding who lost their fathers early, those who found love, and those faced with the difficult choice to fight or forgive. I am immensely grateful to be creating this film with an extraordinary team, both in front of and behind the camera,” Kernell added.
TrustNordisk’s managing director, Susan Wendt, praised Kernell’s talent: “Amanda Kernell is a director with a deep connection to the characters she portrays. In ‘Brace Your Heart,’ she takes us deep into the Sámi world, where a young woman struggles to find her place within a reindeer community dominated by men, caught between following her heart and fulfilling the expectations placed on her. From the moment I read the script, I was captivated by this striking story, which will be filmed in visually stunning surroundings. There was never any doubt in my mind that we had to be a part of this.”
The film boasts a talented team, including cinematographer Sophia Olsson (“The Crown”, “Charter”, “Sámi Blood”), production designer Sabine Hviid (“Another Round”, “Charter”), editor Linda Man (“Sauna”, “Borgen”), and composer Rebekka Karijord (“All the Old Knives”, “Songs of Earth”). “Brace Your Heart” is produced by Eva Åkergren for Nordisk Film Production Sweden, in co-production with Norway’s Forest People, Iceland’s Compass Films, Bulgaria’s Invictus, Nordisk Film Production Denmark, Filmpool Nord, SVT, and Film i Väst, with support from The Swedish Film Institute, The Danish Film Institute, The International Sámi Film Institute, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, the Bulgarian National Film Centre, the Icelandic Film Centre, Eurimages, and Arktisk Film Norge. Nordisk Film Distribution will handle the domestic release.
TrustNordisk’s strong Berlin slate includes the Berlinale Special Gala selected “Late Shift” by Petra Volpe, the Panorama entry “Home Sweet Home” by Frelle Petersen, and six market screenings: the Göteborg opener and winner “Safe House,” the Sundance buzz title “Sauna,” the Rotterdam-selected “Acts of Love,” and the animated films “Super Charlie,” “The Polar Bear Prince,” and “Caterella.” (L-R) Andte Gaup-Jusso, Elli Sara Valkepää, Vincent Niia. Credit: Carl-Johan Utsi.
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